Dundee United's David Goodwillie scored his third goal in as many games, as United held Celtic at Parkhead. Photograph: David Moir/Reuters

Celtic missed the perfect opportunity to go top of the SPL after Ranger's goalless draw at Motherwell in the lunchtime kick off, but the Hoops had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Celtic Park.

The visitors stormed into a sixth-minute lead through striker David Goodwillie in their first attack. Prince Buaben got the break of the ball in a tussle with Gary Caldwell wide on the left, although there were claims of handball from the home support. And when the United midfielder's cross came into the box, Goodwillie took possession, turned inside Celtic's Dutch defender Glenn Loovens, and from six yards out drove a right-footed shot high into the net.

However, the hosts equalised in the 17th minute through Scott McDonald after United defender Darren Dods had conceded a free-kick wide on the right by handling. When the Hoops left-back Danny Fox curled a fierce ball to the back post, the Australia international managed to evade United's tall defenders to nod in from close range. Three minutes from the end, United midfielder Scott Robertson, booked earlier, picked up a second yellow for a foul on Georgios Samaras to earn an early bath. Home defender Andreas Hinkel's injury-time cross appeared to hit Dods on the hand as he tried to clear, but referee Steve Conroy ignored claims for a penalty. The Hoops, however, could not make the most of their advantage and remain behind their Ibrox rivals on goal difference.

Goalkeeper Paul Gallacher earned St Mirren a point as St Johnstone rued a series of second-half misses to draw 1-1. Gallacher pulled off great saves from Murray Davidson and Chris Millar, both of whom struck the bar. Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris drove home a 37th-minute equaliser for the visitors four minutes after a Billy Mehmet penalty put the Buddies ahead. Davidson almost won it in the 72nd minute when Gallacher touched his header onto the bar.

Bottom side Hamilton play hosts to Hibernian today, with former Celtic midfielder Liam Miller set to make his debut for John Hughes's high-flyers. Struggling Falkirk play Aberdeen on Monday night, with Bairns manager Eddie May having the luxury of a full squad from which to choose.

Hearts' home game against Kilmarnock at Tynecastle has been rescheduled for Tuesday night due to travel problems on the M8 yesterday, which prevented the Killie team bus reaching the ground in time for kick-off.